Soccer: Miller previews the UEFA Champions League final – Tottenham vs Liverpool – including odds and more
For just the second time in UEFA Champions League Final history, two Premier League teams will meet for the ultimate prize in European (and world) football.
Liverpool, last season’s runner-up, will take on first-time finalist Tottenham June 1 at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain.
With two and a half weeks before the contest, Liverpool looks to be the heavy betting favorite. The team that has been the prematch favorite has won every trophy since 2012, when Chelsea beat Bayern Munich, which was playing in its own stadium, in penalties to secure the Blues first European Cup.
That title was England’s first since 2008, the only other time two Premier League teams battled for the Champions League crown. That match also went to penalties, where Manchester United held off Chelsea in the Moscow rain to win its third European Cup.
Here are some interesting stats and potential bets for the 2019 final, provided by Americangambler.com.
This is the seventh time that two teams from the same nation have played in the European Cup/Champions League final. All instances have come since 1999-2000. Spain has had three instances (2000, 2014, and 2016), all involving Real Madrid. This is England’s second, while Italy (2003) and Germany (2013) have each had one instance.
During the Champions League group stages, Tottenham was 100-to-1 to win the Champions League title at one point, while Liverpool was 12-1.
There has not been a shutout in a Champions League final since 2010. Both teams to score is -125 at BetStars.
Despite missing action since April 9, Tottenham striker Harry Kane is the second favorite with Betstars to score in the match at +180, just behind Liverpool’s Sadio Mane at +170.
The over/under line is set at 2.5 goals, with the over +100, and the under -120. Both of these teams have been prolific on offense at times. Each team scored three times in the second half of the second leg semifinal to advance.
Liverpool won both matches this season against the Spurs 2-1 (September 15 and March 31), but Tottenham won one and drew one the season prior. Since 2016, Liverpool has the edge, with four wins, three draws, and one loss.
The odds on a penalty to be awarded during the contest are yes +220, no -500.
Tottenham to score two or more goals is yes +220, no -300, while Liverpool to score two or more goals is yes +100, no -125.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL ODDS
Odds provided by Americangambler.com
Tottenham (+290) vs. Liverpool (+100), draw (+245), June 1, 3 p.m. (TNT and Fubo.tv)